In a shocking turn of events, Franco Colapinto’s sponsor has sparked intense speculation with a slip-up caught on a hot mic. The Argentinean racing driver has secured a role as Alpine’s reserve driver for the upcoming F1 2025 season, but recent developments suggest he might make an earlier comeback to the track.
The president of one of Colapinto’s key sponsors, YPF, hinted at his potential return to Formula 1 during a recent interview. The energy giant’s CEO, Horacio Marin, dropped a bombshell while speaking with Eduardo Feinmann, insinuating that Colapinto could be back in action as soon as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix next month.
Despite attempts to pry more information from Marin, he remained tight-lipped during the interview. However, a candid moment captured on the microphone revealed Marin whispering to Feinmann about Colapinto’s possible debut at Imola. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the F1 community, igniting rumors of Colapinto replacing Jack Doohan at Alpine.
Speculation about Colapinto taking over Doohan’s position has been circulating for months, and Marin’s slip-up only adds fuel to the fire. Colapinto’s recent races as a replacement driver for Williams have made him ineligible for rookie running this season, hinting that if he does race at Imola, it could be as a full-time driver.
Alpine’s team management has neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of a driver swap, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. While Doohan has shown improvement, the pressure is mounting as he struggles to secure points in the current season. With Colapinto and another reserve driver, Paul Aron, waiting in the wings, Alpine has a tough decision to make.
Aron’s impressive performance during recent testing at Monza has further complicated the situation, with the Estonian driver also vying for a spot in the team. As the F1 season unfolds, all eyes are on Alpine to see how they navigate the delicate balance between sticking with Doohan or taking a chance on the promising talents of Colapinto and Aron.